utah lifestyle photographer

MEGAN + KALIOPASI // AT HOME COUPLES SESSION

 

part of what draws me to photograph humans is that i’m kind of a voyeur, in that i’m intrigued by other people’s lives and stories.

when i was a kid, i’d play barbies for hours on end. i loved dressing them, setting up their living situations, and creating their stories.

when i started to grow out of the barbie phase, my cousin introduced me to virtual barbies: The Sims. i played this game nonstop for hours, designing their homes, creating my characters, and building their lives.

sadly, at some point i grew out of this ‘playing’ phase and kinda had to start living my own life. and for the past 10+ years i’ve been playing real-life, decorating my living spaces, creating offspring, and shaping my story.

so when i think about it, its really not surprising that i love photographing real people in their homes living their lives. its just another form of this fascination i have with the human experience. drop me off in the middle of nowhere to make landscapes and i could find some value in it (and have), but put me in a place to witness human beings who are vulnerable with each other, vulnerable with me, and who are letting me get a glimpse of their stories, their lives, and their love? it is unmatched, you guys. UN. MATCHED.

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we took these photos at megan’s apartment. she has made this place her home for the past few years, and in a few weeks she is giving it all up to move to california for work. i jumped at the chance to document this time in her life, with her boo, and her pupper at their home.

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MI CASA ES SU CASA

it has been awhile that i've wanted to do another "day in the life of" with my boys. basically how i would capture them if they were my clients (which, if anything, they'd probably pay me NOT to photograph them, lol) but i wanted things shot just as they are around our little house, our little family. minus their parents and plus their cousin (who makes a cameo in a few shots). let me know what you think!

HARPER // NEWBORNS

this is one of those sessions that i get teary looking at. this mama had two baby boys within 2 years of each other, and then couldn't get pregnant for another 7 years. her second son will turn 8 this april. she and her husband went through numerous tests and doctors couldn't figure out why they suddenly couldn't get pregnant. they felt strongly that they would have another baby, a daughter, but she wasn't coming. they considered IVF but it never felt right. they were beginning to accept the fact that their family may just be complete. and then, out of the blue, a miracle happened. they found out they were expecting. their daughter was born and their family is now complete. i cry just thinking about it. i cry seeing the way they look at the newest member of their family. i just couldn't be happier for them and am so glad i could document some of these precious moments for them.

the birth of a baby is always a hectic time. the days fly by, the babies grow up way too fast. i wanted to document for them a little slice of what life was like that first week of their baby's life. the way the leaves were just beginning to fall outside, the decidedly "boy" shoes blocking the front door, the older two passing the time by climbing on (and jumping off) everything, and all the sweet characteristics that make newborns so incredibly delicious.

TAYLORS // AT HOME

photographing a fellow photographer whose work you greatly respect is always nerve-wracking. but when hannah asked me to take her family's photos in her home i was ecstatic. they have the cutest little family in the cutest little house. i had an amazing time following them around their house for a few hours. i told them what to do in a few shots, but most are just a candid look at their everyday. but you wanna know a secret? what makes these photos special is not their cute house and their nice clothes and their general attractiveness. i mean, that helps. but what speaks to me the most, and what i hope is conveyed in the images, is so much more than all of that stuff. it is the way a mother looks at her son. the way her son looks at the tv (ha!). the bodies in the home in which they live. all of the little moments and quirks that make up their lives. the way sweet little maddox hands his momma his sippy cup. how he stands around in his diaper. the way his dad smiles at his mom. THAT is what gets me excited to shoot. THAT is what i care about. and THAT is what i am excited to share with you today. i hope you enjoy.

TREY // FRESH 48

fresh 48's are sessions done (usually at the hospital) within the first 48 hours after a baby's birth. sometimes i do these along with the birth story- though they're a great option for those wanting photos at the hospital but not a full birth story. this mama had her birth story done by whitney of grey giraffe photography (highly recommend, btw). i couldn't do the birth story because, well, i was a little preoccupied... giving birth.

YES this is the fresh 48 session for my own (third) son. so i am in these photos. my husband and sons are in these photos. my nieces and nephews and assorted family members are in these photos. most of the ones i am in i either set up a timer or handed the camera to someone and gave instructions. the rest i took. and then edited and curated (obvs). but who am i kidding, no one is still reading this! you have all scrolled past my blabbing to see the PICS. i get it. don't blame ya. isn't he the sweetest?